NFL Picks: Week 8

Photo courtesy of Pro Football Talk

I bounced back from my first down week with a nice 9-5 showing in Week 7. I'm having a great year so far, and I'm ready to keep it rolling this week, because I'm feeling pretty good about my picks.

But of course, I started with my Thursday night loss:

My pick for tonight's game: Dolphins (+8) over PATRIOTS

— William Botchway (@WilliamBotchway) October 30, 2015

And then, a early morning London victory:

my pick for the final breakfast football game of the year: Chiefs (-3) over Lions. Get ready for some interesting coaching decisions

— William Botchway (@WilliamBotchway) November 1, 2015

Overall, this is a very fun and interesting slate of games, with a bunch of games that could go in many different directions.

UPSET ALERT next to games in which I think the underdog will win outright, not just cover. Home team in CAPS.
FALCONS (-7.5) over Buccaneers. After an oddly close game against the Titans last week, the Falcons will get back to their offensive powerhouse ways, and run Tampa Bay right out of Atlanta.

BROWNS (+6) over Cardinals. The Browns are okay. They're not going to win very many games by the end of the season, but they won't go down easy, especially at home.

RAMS (-8) over 49ers. This game gave me a lot of trouble, because there are so many factors working against each other here. My initial thought was to take the Rams, because I would give a lot of points to Colin Kaepernick on the road against a great defense. However, I reconsidered because I now realize that I'm laying eight points with Nick Foles against a team of living, breathing, humans. Even with Todd Gurley playing like a monster, they're not a team that's going to score a lot of points. However, I'm sticking with the Rams because even though I doubt their offense's ability to run up the score, I expect to see their defense create a lot of extra chances off turnovers.

SAINTS (-3) over Giants. Picking the home team favored by three points because there's no logic attached to this game. Both are weird, inconsistent teams that make no sense whatsoever. This game could go either way.

Vikings (-1) over BEARS. The Bears are a little better than most people think, but I still believe the Vikes take a close one in Chicago.

RAVENS (-3.5) over Chargers. This line looked like it was a half point too high at first, but not so much now that I look at it. Despite the records, I would say that the Ravens are decidedly the better team between the two, therefore the line makes sense, and I'm taking Baltimore.

STEELERS (-1) over Bengals. With Roethlisberger in the lineup again, the Steelers will end Cincy's run in what should be a pretty fun game.

Titans (+3.5) over TEXANS. The Texans are the worst team in football, and shouldn't be favored by more than 3 over anybody, including the 2008 Lions. UPSET ALERT.

Jets (-3) over RAIDERS. In what should quietly be a great game, the Jets' defense will give Derek Carr and Oakland enough trouble to get out of the Bay Area with a victory.

Seahawks (-4.5) over COWBOYS. Matt Cassel.

Packers (-2.5) over BRONCOS. Denver's defense is doing admirable things this season, but they can't slow down Aaron Rodgers. I can't believe I'm saying this, but in 2015, a Peyton Manning-led team is probably incapable of putting up enough points to win a shootout.

PANTHERS (-6.5) over Colts. Panthers are good, Colts are not. Andrew Luck, say hello to a Josh Norman pick six.

Last Week: 9-5

This Week: 0-1

Season: 56-44-4